About Adam Nelson
A South Dakota native, Adam started classical piano lessons when he was eight years old. Like most children that age, he hated piano lessons. He persevered until he got to high school when he started focusing on playing Horn (the "french" one) and trumpet, singing in the choir and marching in drum corps. But those piano lessons were still at the root of his musical endeavors, and Adam often distracted himself by learning countless songs by the Beatles, the Who, Led Zeppelin, Elton John and Ben Folds.
While earning his Horn Performance degree at the University of South Dakota, Adam started up piano lessons once again, and even accompanied collegiate instrumental students and choirs. He also learned the baritone, trap set, percussion, steel drums, guitar and bass guitar, and started to apply his growing education in music theory and piano technique to composition. His enthusiasm for pop music was further enabled by his technology fellowship that saw him creating web materials for the music school's Rock and Roll Appreciation course.
After getting his Master of Music Performance degree from Arizona State University in 2007, Adam saw an opportunity to put his pop music knowledge and ear training to practical use, and joined the entertainers at the Shout House Rock and Roll Dueling Pianos club in Glendale, Arizona. He also started working at the Arizona Music Project, where he taught piano, aural skills and music theory to students of all ages and abilities. Adam was also an instructor with many marching bands in his home state of South Dakota as well as Arizona, including the Mountain View High School Toro Marching Band in Mesa and the Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band.
Adam continues to perform dueling pianos, as well as original songs in Chicago and all over the Midwest. He also writes drill for local marching bands and, of course, teaches piano lessons!
While earning his Horn Performance degree at the University of South Dakota, Adam started up piano lessons once again, and even accompanied collegiate instrumental students and choirs. He also learned the baritone, trap set, percussion, steel drums, guitar and bass guitar, and started to apply his growing education in music theory and piano technique to composition. His enthusiasm for pop music was further enabled by his technology fellowship that saw him creating web materials for the music school's Rock and Roll Appreciation course.
After getting his Master of Music Performance degree from Arizona State University in 2007, Adam saw an opportunity to put his pop music knowledge and ear training to practical use, and joined the entertainers at the Shout House Rock and Roll Dueling Pianos club in Glendale, Arizona. He also started working at the Arizona Music Project, where he taught piano, aural skills and music theory to students of all ages and abilities. Adam was also an instructor with many marching bands in his home state of South Dakota as well as Arizona, including the Mountain View High School Toro Marching Band in Mesa and the Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band.
Adam continues to perform dueling pianos, as well as original songs in Chicago and all over the Midwest. He also writes drill for local marching bands and, of course, teaches piano lessons!
Contact Adam now to learn how to unleash your inner rock star!